Jim and Jamie Dutcher — wolf experts, authors and photographers — have spent the past two decades studying wolf behavior, and the past several actually living with them (lucky!), specifically the famous Sawtooth pack at the edge of the Sawtooth Wilderness in Idaho.

Puppies maintain and develop their own pup hierarchy for their first few years of life, and their ranks are established early. (Jim and Jamie Dutcher, National Geographic Stock)

This gave them incredible access to take photos and observe their habits, as well as watch how they reacted to the birth of pups and the death of pack members. The Dutchers share all of this with respectful scientists’ understanding of remaining detached and avoiding anthropomorphism, but they also can’t help conveying the same enthusiasm so many of us have for these beautiful, mesmerizing animals.

Combined with their crisp, you’re-right-there photographs, the Dutchers’ insider observations made this book one of those that visitors have started digging for on our pile, thinking that they were just going to look at the pretty pictures but then find an hour has zipped by before they re-emerge:

Wahots and Wyakin never let us forget that a wolf pack is a family. From the moment these two entered the world, they were inseparable. They spent what seemed like hours engaged in games — subtle expressions of dominance but also of deep affection, highlighting the family bonds that hold a pack together. As adults, these two took their places in the lower ranks of the pack hierarchy, and eventually Wahots slipped into the omega spot, finally giving Lakota a break.

Between the drama of family tensions, battles for dominance and romantic entanglements, sometimes it’s tough to remember you’re not reading about an outdoors version of “Downton Abbey” here.

A wolf’s howl has stirred human passions for millennia. (Jim and Jamie Dutcher, National Geographic Stock)

The Dutchers also made an incredible companion documentary of their experience, the proceeds of which go to their nonprofit “Living with Wolves.”